Brother John Sellers

Brother John Sellers was an American gospel and folk singer born on May 27, 1924, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. His Broadway credits include the 1963 production of Tambourines to Glory. He died on March 27, 1999, in Manhattan, at the age of 74.

Sellers began his musical life performing in gospel tent shows during his youth. Mahalia Jackson discovered him and brought him to Chicago in the 1930s to perform alongside her, and he continued touring with Jackson through the 1940s. In the 1950s, Sellers expanded into secular music, releasing his first album for Vanguard Records in 1954. During a European tour, he recorded with Big Bill Broonzy, and a 1957 session produced the album Brother John Sellers in London on London Records.

Later in the 1950s, Sellers moved to New York City, where he became a participant in the folk revival centered in Greenwich Village. He formed a lasting professional partnership with choreographer Alvin Ailey, contributing as a musician to dance works including Revelations and Blues Suite. His stage work led to his involvement in the 1963 Broadway production of Tambourines to Glory, written by Langston Hughes. He also performed at appearances by Studs Terkel and played on the Ella Jenkins recording A Long Time to Freedom.

Sellers recorded across multiple labels throughout his career. His discography includes Brother John Sellers and Sings Blues and Folk Songs, both released on Vanguard in 1954, as well as Baptist Shouts and Gospel Songs and Big Boat Up the River on Monitor/Smithsonian Folkways, and Let Praise Arise on Integrity Music in 1984.